“We don’t understand why,” Goth said in Moscow. “And we could not appeal that decision in any way. It seemed to be random.”

People in Russia have been welcoming. She said: “We have confirmed visits to all the hospitals, baby homes that the families want to visit.”

Some families met with birth mothers. Ally, aged 12, said she did not push for that.

“Well, I’ve been curious about my birth mom, I mean, any kid would, but I don’t really think about her that much,” she said.

For John, Ally's adoptive father, the trip back to Russia was about answering questions.

“We would like for her to see, to be able to ask questions, and to satisfy any curiosity and get closure on any issues that she may have now and going forward,” he said.

While the trips have been intensely personal, the Kremlin ban has loomed in the background.

Katherine, Ally's adoptive mother, said: “To think that anyone would stand in the way of a child having a family is incomprehensible to me.”

Stung by domestic and international criticism, the Kremlin has launched a program to encourage Russian parents to adopt Russian orphans.